Ideas for thoughtful £20 thank you gifts for Teaching Assistants

[Hopthegoodgod]

I have 2 great Teaching Assistants who I want to reward but money is tight. Budget is £20 each. Neither drink and I don't want to buy another mug or candle. Ideas please. Both over 50 and neither have gardens.

That’s lovely of you.
A M&S or John Lewis voucher?

Voucher everytime. Depends on where you are, if there isn’t a JL or a MS within easy distance then one for the local big supermarket is a good bet. A lovely card if you can’t force get your child to make one.

Book tokens or Sanctuary Spa type goodies from Boots £10 Tuesday. You could add cheaper bits like a shower puff and make up a happy end of term pamper box/ bag.

Coffee shop voucher

I’m a TA. Honestly I don’t want people to spend their hard earned money on me but I also don’t want them to waste on things I won’t use. Vouchers are the best thing. You could get one for a coffee chain or one of those vouchers that can be used in different places.

M&S vouchers would be the most neutral thing. (I wouldn’t want a voucher for random toiletries.)

You can also ask the teacher what do they think the TAs would like. Usually with unwanted gifts there is a swap table in the staff room so you might not drink teacher juice red wine and if you are gifted it you might swap it for a bottle of white wine.

It is always a good idea to try to find something they would actually like. I will be honest and say that a lot just like a thank you, the teachers seem to get thanked but the TAs are often overlooked.

The teacher might take a day or two to get back to you but honestly worth the ask. They probably won't ask the TAs directly if they don't know what they would want but they will know who they talk to in school and ask them.

Water bottle?

Amazon voucher because they last for 10 years and if they don't want it they can regift it.

We gave Amazon vouchers. I felt in the end (after too much thinking about it) that at least there is something on there that everyone would like so it seemed the most useful. I would never give anything except vouchers though - I think the rest, whilst not unappreciated for the thought, just goes to waste/gets stuck in the staff room.

Also I wouldn’t ask the teacher - they have enough to do without having to come up with an idea for a gift within budget for the TA. Get a neutral voucher - they get paid so little that something like that is always going to be the most useful,

I assume the OP IS the teacher.
she said “ I have” 2 TAs and knows a lot about them.

Vouchers are the best thing, that's true!
Could be something personalized, like planners or notebook and pen gift sets if they use stationery like this.
Something tailored to their hobbies, if you know about them enough, or could be gift cards to shops they get supplies from.
You say they don't have gardens, what about plants then? You can get them something pretty and not too big if you're sure they'll like it.

I agree M&S is the most neutral voucher unless there isn't one nearby. A lot of their groceries are reasonably priced and they have nice 'treat' things so most people would be able to use a voucher there without too much hassle.

There aren't many JL shops and outside MN, they're too expensive/niche for smaller amounts of money.

Amazon is shit now so not great unless you have a Kindle that you can buy books for. Otherwise it could be a bit of a chore to use.

I wouldn't buy them 'stuff' as it could be not to their taste or they might be looking to declutter. Many over 50s, and I include myself in this have accumulated decades worth of mugs, stationery, notebooks, pens etc so wouldn't really appreciate any more. It just adds to the use up/charity/declutter burden.

Book voucher

Amazon voucher

I was in a job before where I used to get regularly gifts. Honestly vouchers are the way to go. As others have said Mark and Spencer or a Department Store is ideal or if you know there a nice cafe nearby.

With regards to things - at 50 plus they have either been given it before or would have already bought it if they needed it.